Yellow Brick House
Yellow Brick House is a Canadian registered charity founded in 1978 that delivers free, confidential, 24/7 services to women and children escaping domestic violence across York Region through two emergency shelters (41 beds, 10 cribs), crisis lines, counselling, legal support, and prevention education in 31 languages.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1978
- HeadquartersRichmond Hill, Canada
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Yellow Brick House does
Yellow Brick House is a Canadian registered charity (Charitable Registration Number 11910 5187 RR0001), founded in 1978 and headquartered in Richmond Hill, Ontario, that delivers life-saving services to women and children fleeing domestic violence across York Region. Its core offerings include a 24/7 toll-free Crisis and Support Line, two confidential emergency shelters in Markham and Aurora with 41 beds and 10 cribs, individual and group counselling (including the 10-week 'When Love Hurts' program), the Let's Talk Child Witness and Mothers in Mind children's programs, legal support, immigration consultation, and transitional housing assistance. All services are free, confidential, and available in 31 languages, with dedicated French-language partnerships via OASIS, Fem'aide, and Colibri.
Public education and prevention constitute a second product cluster: the Schools for Change workshops (Grades 6-12), Healthy Homes workshops for newcomers, an Elder Abuse Prevention Program, organizational Bill 132 workplace training, and a four-module eLearning curriculum covering unhealthy relationships, youth foundations, campus empowerment, and digital literacy. The organization is technology-light, with no proprietary platform — service delivery depends on human staff, physical shelters, and a website/givecloud donation portal.
The business model is a community-funded non-profit: revenue is composed of provincial government funding from the Ontario Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services, federal support from Women and Gender Equality Canada, foundation grants (Ontario Trillium Foundation, Telus Community Board, New Horizons), corporate partnerships (Shoppers Foundation, Scotiabank, Home Depot Canada, CGI, OpenText, Bimbo Canada, and others), individual monthly and one-time donations, legacy/bequest giving, and cause-marketing product partnerships. Annual operating cost for the Markham shelter alone is disclosed at $631,000, with two shelters plus counselling, education, and administration implying an organization materially larger than its 11-50 headcount band would normally imply.
Yellow Brick House firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Yellow Brick House
- Legal name
- Yellow Brick House
- Website
- https://yellowbrickhouse.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1978
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Yellow Brick House is a Canadian registered charity founded in 1978 that delivers free, confidential, 24/7 services to women and children escaping domestic violence across York Region through two emergency shelters (41 beds, 10 cribs), crisis lines, counselling, legal support, and prevention education in 31 languages.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Yellow Brick House industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Domestic Violence Support Services
- NAICS
- Temporary Shelters (624221), Other Community Housing Services (624229)
- SIC
- Services-Social Services (8300)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Homelessness Prevention, Shelter & Supportive Housing Services (BPAIANAC)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Community Centers & Neighborhood Support Services (BPAGAEAL)
Keywords
Where Yellow Brick House is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Richmond Hill
- HQ country
- Canada
- HQ region
- North America
Offices3 records
Markets served
Yellow Brick House business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Others
Revenue model
- Government Funding: Funded by the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services, as well as other government sources for shelter operations and community services.
- Individual Donations: One-time and monthly donations from individual supporters, with monthly donors receiving purple scarves as appreciation tokens.
- Corporate Partnerships: Strategic giving, cause marketing, brand exposure sponsorships, employee engagement programs, and product donations from corporate partners.
- Foundation Grants: Grants from foundations including Ontario Trillium Foundation, Women and Gender Equality Canada, New Horizons, and Telus Community Board.
- Legacy Giving: Planned giving through stocks/securities donations, life insurance beneficiary designations, and bequests in wills.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Other | Emergency shelter services provided at no cost to residents |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels11 records
Yellow Brick House product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Yellow Brick House is a non-profit organization that provides emergency shelter, crisis intervention, counseling, legal support, and transitional housing to women and children escaping domestic violence. It also operates a crisis line and delivers public education on abuse prevention, serving survivors across the Greater Toronto Area from its base in Richmond Hill, Ontario.
Product overview
Yellow Brick House provides a comprehensive suite of life-saving social services for women and children escaping domestic violence. The core offerings include a 24/7 Crisis and Support Line, Emergency Shelter (two locations with 41 beds and 10 cribs), individual and group counselling, legal support, and transitional housing assistance. Children's services encompass the Let's Talk Child Witness Program and Mothers in Mind parenting support. Public education programs include Schools for Change workshops, eLearning modules, Healthy Homes workshops for newcomers, the Elder Abuse Prevention Program, and organizational workplace training. The organization also provides safety planning resources and internet/telephone safety education. These services are delivered free of charge, confidential, and available in multiple languages to serve York Region's diverse community.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Emergency Shelter
Quantifiable outcome
- 41 emergency shelter beds and 10 cribs across 2 locations
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Yellow Brick House
Customer profileNamed customers2 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles1 record
Yellow Brick House technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Yellow Brick House partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
30 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.
- Shoppers Foundation for Women's Healthcore50 local Shoppers Drug Mart stores selected Yellow Brick House for annual Giving Shelter Campaign. Customer donations at checkout funded emergency shelter beds, crisis counselling, safety planning, and transitional housing support. Raised $96,300 in 2025-2026.
- Home Depot CanadamajorReceived Community Developments Grant to create outdoor space for youth at Markham Shelter. Home Depot team of volunteers supported installation. Enhanced facilities for families served.
- CGI Inc.majorExceptional support including financial contributions and volunteers for Celebration of Resilience Fundraising Reception. CGI team instrumental in setting up and running events. Committed to expanding efforts and creating sustainable change.
- OpenTextmajorFinancial contributions supported International Women's Day Gift Packing and Nights of Safety program. Funded and organized volunteer teams for spring cleanups at both shelters. Longstanding partnership built on compassion and community.
- Olympus CanadaminorSteadfast supporter through fundraisers and volunteer initiatives. Spring 2024 volunteers enhanced Richmond Hill office front gardens. Contributed to welcoming environment for women and children.
- Bimbo CanadamajorConsistent supporter through financial contributions and product sponsorship for events. Sponsored facility upgrades including storage shed (Markham 2023), gazebo, shed, and sandbox (Aurora 2024).
- ScotiabankmajorFeatured on employee giving program. Contributed total funding of $4,610 in 2023. Provided assistance in shelter renovations, gift cards and in-kind gifts for families served.
- Crown Property Management Inc.minorContributed to beautification of Richmond Hill office front garden through purchase of plants and flowers, with volunteer team planting and caring for garden.
- Honda CanadaminorCorporate partner supporting Yellow Brick House programs and services.
- 407 ETRminorCorporate partner supporting Yellow Brick House programs and services.
- adidas CanadaminorCorporate partner supporting Yellow Brick House programs and services. Former board member Zdenka Pantaleo was Executive Sponsor of local Women's ERG.
- Marsh CanadaminorCorporate partner supporting Yellow Brick House programs and services.
- RBCminorCorporate partner supporting Yellow Brick House programs and services.
- The Enercare TeammajorInaugural charity partner of Enercare Fresh Start Program since 2016. Program objective is to give back to communities where they work and live by supporting families-in-need with fresh start as they transition to new homes.
- NCompass FinancialmajorProud and ongoing supporter. Former board member for 7 years, witnessed undying commitment of YBH leadership and staff. Committed to eliminating domestic violence through community partnership.
- TACC ConstructionminorDedicated to supporting local charitable organizations. Believes in YBH commitment to empower women and children to rebuild lives after escaping domestic violence.
- The Talent CompanymajorLong-term supporter as part of core values of giving back to communities. Satisfied and confident that continued support empowers women and children to rebuild lives.
- Ontario Association of Interval and Transition Houses (OAITH)coreCoalition of first stage emergency women's shelters, 2nd stage housing organizations and community-based women organizations working towards ending violence against all women. CEO Lorris Herenda serves as Treasurer of OAITH board.
- York Region Violence Against Women Coordinating Committee (YRVAWCC)coreFeminist committee promoting gender-based analysis of violence against women. Ensures collaboration, coordination and communication amongst all stakeholders in York Region gender-based violence sector. CEO Lorris Herenda is co-chair.
- Mackenzie Health (DASA)coreDomestic Abuse and Sexual Assault Centre provides 24/7 specialized healthcare response by forensic nursing team with acute care and follow-up component. Supports enhanced police investigation by collecting forensic evidence.
- Safe Pet OntariominorCoordinates foster care for pets of survivors fleeing violent situations, allowing women to leave abusers without leaving pets behind.
- Ontario SPCAminorPet fostering resources for women leaving abusive partners. Provides temporary housing and care for pets.
- OASIS Centre des FemmesminorFrench language services partner providing support to French-speaking clients of Yellow Brick House.
- Fem'aideminor24/7 French language support line (1-877-336-3433) for French-speaking clients requiring services in French.
- Colibri Centre Des FemmesminorFrench language services partner providing support to French-speaking clients of Yellow Brick House (705-797-2060).
- The Bargains GroupminorWholesale partner providing discounts on wish list items. Additional donations to Yellow Brick House included with every purchase.
- Cocoa 40 Inc.minor#Chocolate4Change partnership. $1 from every chocolate bar or bonbon from Yellow Brick House collection goes directly to the organization.
- Liv Lovely CandlesminorAll natural hand poured soy candles. 25% of proceeds donated to Yellow Brick House.
- LA BeautyminorSelf-care brand. Proceeds from sales support Yellow Brick House.
- Bellezza By VanessaminorMedical Aesthetician services. Celebrate Your Beauty project donates portion of proceeds to Yellow Brick House.
Scale indicators10 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Yellow Brick House competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- YWCA Toronto: Large incumbent women's services provider in the GTA offering shelter, housing, and violence-against-women programming at materially larger scale.
Emerging players
- Chrysalis Anti-Human Trafficking Network: Toronto-area anti-trafficking organization providing case management and shelter referrals to survivors, with overlapping client population and referral pathways.
Direct peers
- Gillian's Place: Niagara Region women's shelter operating emergency shelter, crisis line, counselling, and public education programs — a directly comparable Ontario women's shelter peer.
- Ernestine's Women's Shelter: Toronto-based emergency shelter and 24/7 crisis line for women and children fleeing violence, comparable in mission and operating model to Yellow Brick House.
- Interval House Toronto: Toronto-based emergency shelter and counselling organization serving women and children fleeing violence, with a comparable crisis-line + shelter + education model in a neighbouring GTA market.
- Toronto Rape Crisis Centre / Women Against Violence Against Women (WAVAW): Toronto-based feminist crisis and counselling organization serving survivors of sexual violence, with overlapping counselling, education, and advocacy mission.
- Nellie's (Nellie's Hostel and Community Centre): Toronto women's shelter and community organization offering emergency shelter, counselling, and transitional housing for women and children experiencing violence and poverty.
- Women's Habitat (Etobicoke): Peel-region shelter and counselling provider serving women and children fleeing abuse, with a similar shelter + outreach + education service mix.
Others
- Ontario Association of Interval and Transition Houses (OAITH): Provincial coalition of first-stage shelters, second-stage housing, and community organizations; Yellow Brick House's CEO sits on its board, making it both a coordinating body and ecosystem reference point.
Regional players
- Mackenzie Health DASA (Domestic Abuse & Sexual Assault Care Centre): Hospital-based forensic nursing response team serving York Region — a current referral partner with overlapping service population, though delivered from a healthcare rather than community-services platform.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Yellow Brick House social profiles
Digital presenceYellow Brick House financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Yellow Brick House leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
Yellow Brick House funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds1 record
Investors1 record
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Yellow Brick House M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Yellow Brick House
What does Yellow Brick House do?
Yellow Brick House is a non-profit organization that provides emergency shelter, crisis intervention, counseling, legal support, and transitional housing to women and children escaping domestic violence. It also operates a crisis line and delivers public education on abuse prevention, serving survivors across the Greater Toronto Area from its base in Richmond Hill, Ontario.
Is Yellow Brick House a public or private company?
Yellow Brick House is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Yellow Brick House founded?
Yellow Brick House was founded in 1978. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Yellow Brick House based?
Yellow Brick House is headquartered in Richmond Hill, Canada, in the North America region.
How does Yellow Brick House make money?
Five revenue lines are on record. Government Funding is the primary driver. The others are individual Donations, corporate Partnerships, foundation Grants and legacy Giving.
Who are Yellow Brick House's main competitors?
YWCA Toronto is listed as a broad incumbent. Chrysalis Anti-Human Trafficking Network is listed as an emerging player. Direct peers are Gillian's Place, Ernestine's Women's Shelter, Interval House Toronto, Toronto Rape Crisis Centre / Women Against Violence Against Women (WAVAW), Nellie's (Nellie's Hostel and Community Centre) and Women's Habitat (Etobicoke). Ontario Association of Interval and Transition Houses (OAITH) is listed as an others. Mackenzie Health DASA (Domestic Abuse & Sexual Assault Care Centre) is listed as a regional player.
Does Yellow Brick House have an API?
No public API is recorded for Yellow Brick House.
What industry is Yellow Brick House in?
Yellow Brick House's product category is Domestic Violence Support Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAIANAC, Homelessness Prevention, Shelter & Supportive Housing Services, with a secondary code of BPAGAEAL, Community Centers & Neighborhood Support Services. Its NAICS code is 624221 and its SIC code is 8300.